Saturday, November 20, 2010

For Cullen Jones, golden chance to teach swimming - WSJ.com

For Cullen Jones, golden chance to teach swimming - WSJ.com

Cullen Jones was about to race in his biggest meet of the year when he heard that six teenagers had drowned in Shreveport, La.

Just over three months later, the Olympic gold medalist went to the city last week to give swim lessons.

"It was so big for me being in Shreveport after something like that had happened," Jones said Thursday.

This is why he spends months traveling the country even as he trains to get back on that podium at the 2012 Olympics. Jones has visited 12 cities in two years as part of USA Swimming's "Make a Splash" program to prevent drowning by minority children.

Maurice Lucas stands tall in mourners' minds

Maurice Lucas stands tall in mourners' minds

Boyhood friends, however, recalled that he had first been a competitive swimmer. "He wasn't going to lose at nothing," Schenley teammate Ricky Coleman told mourners.
Swimming to the other side! Rest in peace.

Shooting and melee disrupt festivities

Shooting and melee disrupt festivities

"You have a large number of people coming Downtown, trying to have a good time and enjoy the festivities. And then you have some people who just don't know how to act and they cause the trouble."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10324/1104889-455.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml#ixzz15q6kgLDI
Here is the bottom line: Some people don't know how to act. I agree.

So, what do you do? I say a plan should be in place to TEACH people how to act. Put people, mostly kids, into high pressure situations and give them great leadership. Give them opportunities to practice how to act. Teach. Instruct. Coach. Then, when they are elsewhere, out of the schools, out on the weekends, out on their own, they'll have the understanding, the grounding, the philosophy and the experiences of acting in a friendly, caring, sporting and strong way.

When you walk through metal detectors at the gates of the schools, as well as the football games -- feel safe for an hour or two. When you are split with one crowd sitting on one side of the stadium and the other side over there, apart, isolated, buffered, patrolled, -- that safe feeling lasts until you get to the bus stop or go to the parking lot.

People are going to act with a mentality of being in a street gang or being in a community. Both are learned. Both have to be tested in real life settings.

Portland's push and Pittsburgh's reality

Introducing The MARC from marcpdx on Vimeo.


Or, we can cancel varsity swim practice for Light Up Night, go downtown, rumble, dodge bullets, see 30 to 50 in handcuffs and watch fireworks.

Fw: [libertarian-304] Sat Nov 20: End The Fed event sponsored by PittCollege Libertarians and We Are Change PGH

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®


From: DaveP <depst8@gmail.com>
Sender: libertarian-304-announce@meetup.com
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:13:06 -0500
To: <libertarian-304-announce@meetup.com>
Subject: [libertarian-304] Sat Nov 20: End The Fed event sponsored by Pitt College Libertarians and We Are Change PGH

I hope you can join us on Saturday...there's a lot of energy in the student group and WAC-PGH.
Jake Towne is a good speaker - check out his website (linked at bottom of even details) I'm looking forward to seeing him speak.

Let's get together and network with the students and other activists!

-DaveP

Link with details and RSVP:

http://www.meetup.com/wearechangepgh/calendar/15222347/


ETF EVENT DETAILS:

12pm-3pm End The Fed Educational Outreach
Schenley Park, across from Phipps Conservatory

We will be passing out FREE educational pamphlets as well as DVD's throughout the day at various manned table locations which will start at 12pm, everyone is to meet at the entrance to Schenley Park across from the Phipps Conservatory. These educational materials will explain in detail about the Federal Reserve Banking System and why it is directly responsible for our current economic crisis and what we should be doing to protect ourselves.


6:30pm-11pm Speaker and Movie Presentation
William Pitt Union, Dining room A, Pitt Campus, Oakland

At 6:30pm, we will join members of The Publius Foundation as well as members of the Pitt College Libertarians Organization and other liberty groups/individuals on the PITT Campus in the William Pitt Union, Dining Room A, for speakers as well as a movie screening of, Aaron Russo's, America: Freedom to Fascism. This event will be free to the public and all ages are welcomed to attend, event will be open to the public from 6:30pm-11pm.

UPDATE:
Joe Kennedy, Activist and Independent Political Candidate who ran against Scott Brown and Martha Coakley for the Special Elections Senate Seat in Massachusetts in 2010, has confirmed that he will be one of the ETF speakers to present at Pitt Campus! For more information on Mr. Kennedy, please feel free to visit his site: http://www.joekennedyforsenate.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Jake Towne, Independent Political Candidate who ran for Congress in Pennsylvania's 15th District in 2010 against John Callahan and Charlie Dent just confirmed that he will also be speaking as well as giving a presentation about fractional-reserve banking as well as how we can return to sound money after ending the Fed! For more information on Mr. Towne, please visit his site: http://towneforcongress.com/




--
This message was sent by DaveP (depst8@gmail.com) from The Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh Meetup Group.
To learn more about DaveP, visit his/her member profile


Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Thursday, November 18, 2010

China's Sun Yang sets record in Asian Games pool - More Sports - SI.com

China's Sun Yang sets record in Asian Games pool - More Sports - SI.com

un Yang of China swam the second-fastest 1,500 freestyle race of all time on the last night of an Asian Games pool program, which finished with the country being disqualified in a relay event.

Sun set the Asian Games record in the 1,500 in 14 minutes, 35.43 seconds on Thursday, finishing within a second of the world record set by two-time Olympic and four-time world champion Grant Hackett in 2001.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/11/18/sun.asian.games.ap/index.html#ixzz15fBHdQMa

Moving into Pgh Peabody High School seems to be back to fall 2012

Hi All,

The school move into Peabody for the IB school (also known as Pgh Obama) was talked about again at the PPS Board of Education meeting last night (WED, Nov 17, 2010). Their "agenda review" meeting had a conversation about this topic. We've been organizing a bit on this issue. I was there for a while and did have a couple of conversations with administrators and board members.

Watch the meeting:
Go to MINUTE 52:20 on the slider on the bottom of the frame.
http://ppstube.pps.k12.pa.us/play.php?vid=618



Recap: Ms. Sherry Hazuda put forth some questions to Mr. Lopez. It goes for about 8 minutes.

The push to MOVE the Pgh Obama Academic program from Pgh Reizenstein to Pgh Peabody in the fall of 2011 was pulled. This acclerated move was put in the newspapers last week and caught some by surprise. So, the move is back on for 2012, as the original promise states, and as the past board votes confirmed. However, in the month of December and January 2011, there may be a SURVEY of the parents and students asking them if they would WANT to rush to the new site sooner, in fall 2011. If there is overwhelming support for the rushed move, then the matter could go before the PPS Board again in January 2011 for an amended vote.


Whew.

The last time a survey was taken by PPS Administrators, the name "OBAMA" was chosen among the students. Let the record show, the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies was not the top vote getter in the prior survey. The top vote getter was Schenley. That poll also had strong votes in 2nd and 3rd for Hogwarts and Frick. But Obama was picked (4th choice) and it is what it is. I love democracy. But, I worry a bit about polls. Who is counting the votes? How are questions asked?

In my not so humble opinion, the best solution: I want trust to be earned by PPS. I want PROMISES to be kept. I hate the trend and feeling of being yanked around by Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The class of 2012, the first to graduate from Pgh Obama, (i.e,, NOT Schenley), has had a rocky road. They should NOT move again at the start their senior year, Give time for the facility at Peabody to be made ready for the new school. Give time for the school to focus on academics, not moving and boxing materials and so on. That was a promise made to them and it should be honored.

In the 2011-2012 school year, it would be GREAT if the facilities of BOTH Peabody AND Reizenstein were made available in AFTER SCHOOL TIMES to the students of the city and the 6-12 school. The middle school setting and the high school needs are hard pressed to fit within one school. The schools were built for either middle school or high school. Not both. The crunch is GREATEST after school as multiple teams with multiple sports try to fit in one pool, one gym, one field. It doesn't work well -- especially if the goal is to develop kids, teams and programs to compete with the WPIAL soon.

On MONDAY, Nov 22, 2010, another PPS Board Meeting happens where the board listens to PUBLIC COMMENT in 3 minute chunks. To speak, or get onto the speaker list, call 412-622-3600 and ask to be included on the agenda. That meeting begins at 7 pm. I am speaker #3. My topic: Moving IB to Peabody in fall of 2012. I will also talk about using all the available facilities for all sorts of after school activities.

Then on Tuesday, the board will vote. But, the question of a rush to Peabody for the fall of 2011 has been removed from the agenda as of now.

Thanks for caring about our kids and their opportunities -- both in and beyond the classrooms.




One of the reason why it is NOT prudent to move into Peabody in the fall of 2011 is the fact that the PPS Summer Dreamers is slated to use Pgh Peabody for five weeks in the summer of 2011. The fix up work, even a fresh coat of paint and removal of the Highlanders markings would take longer than the two open weeks to prep for the new school year for the new school population. It is great to have Summer Dreamers at Peabody. And, it will be great to have the facilities people have a number of months in the next year to spruce up the space.

National Opt Out Day at the Airports



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Cullen Jones gives children gold-certified swim lessons - USATODAY.com

Cullen Jones gives children gold-certified swim lessons - USATODAY.com

Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones was back in the pool Wednesday, sharing his story with a community where six teenagers drowned in the Red River this summer because they couldn't swim.

Jones' appearance was part of Make A Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation's child-focused water safety initiative. Make a Splash partners with cities, schools, swim clubs and non-profit groups across the country to offer swimming lessons.

Cook: Steelers make wrong move with Reed

Cook: Steelers make wrong move with Reed It's never a good thing to take on the paying customers.

As inane as his ramblings were, Reed was much more inflammatory during the summer after he failed to reach a long-term contract with the Steelers. "I was told one thing and another thing happened. I'm not a big fan of lying," he said,

Possibly the Greatest Arcade Basketball Rapid Fire Dominance You’ll Ever See

Possibly the Greatest Arcade Basketball Rapid Fire Dominance You’ll Ever See

Some Running Mate should go to this, before going to the Harry Potter movie at midnight

dorkbot is an international movement centered around people who like to do strange things with electricity. This time:

Heather Knight, a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute and founder of Marilyn Monrobot, creates socially intelligent robot theater performances.

Kelly Gates does work that has focused on the politics of computerization and surveillance system development in post-war United States.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov 18: 7:30 PM at Brillobox Theater:
http://www.thisishappening.com/VenuePage.php?curVen=60769&show=profile

NEIGHBORHOOD: Bloomfield

IT'LL COST YOU: $Free

AGES: all ages

PRODUCED BY:
+Dorkbot http://www.thisishappening.com/OrgPage.php?curOrg=38051&show=profile

Rugby!

Folks, enjoy this year's NFL while you can as the league is going to take a year-long vacation next year. There will be a labor and ownership problem. The games will not be played. That's a dark outlook, but it has been brewing and may come to pass.

With this in mind, it is a great time to get into world rugby action.

On Saturday there is a game on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. This is called a 'Test Match.' South Africa visits Scottland. Who is going to win? Place your vote in the poll on the left side of the blog.

Vote today.

Next year the rugby will be better understood if you get into it this year. And next year is a world championship rugby tournament.

Folks will fall in love with international rugby, if you give it a chance.

End of Liberty - video

This video is 1 hour and 14 minutes. It is a movie. I've not watched it yet.

Linux Install Fest Invite

Western PA Linux User Group will hold an installfest this weekend.

WHEN:Saturday November 20 from 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
WHERE: Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

Official Website/Wiki: http://wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20101120

Eventbrite Invitation: http://nov2010wplug.eventbrite.com/

At an installfest, you bring in your computer from home and we install Linux together. You do not need any experience with Linux to install Linux at the installfest. All you need is a computer, keyboard, mouse, display and an open mind. Watch this video to see how really easy it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdEDcmF1SI

Say you've got a problem with your Linux system? Bring it on down to the Installfest and we will take a look together. Some people feel more comfortable just showing someone what's going on instead of posting to wplug at http://wplug.org.

I got started with Linux by attending WPLUG installfests in 1999. The environment is helpful and supportive. A successful installfest doesn't just happen. It takes people, like you, to sign up to help.

We especially need volunteers who will be available experts to answer questions. You don't need to be an expert at everything. Nobody is. What we need is good neighbours who can share their experiences with installing Linux. Join the technical support staff of the meeting.

Want to help but don't have technical background yet? We always need
people to help us setup, clean up, and give us yummy snacks.

Sign up to be a part of the technical support staff, setup crew, cleanup crew, or refreshment provider on the wiki. http://wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20101120

Hope to see you there!

Beth Lynn Eicher

Mark Schubert speaking out about USA Swimming ouster - More Sports - SI.com

Mark Schubert speaking out about USA Swimming ouster - More Sports - SI.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Rehab efforts for the South Side branch of the Carnegie Library - call to meeting


The South Side will be getting yet another expresso machine in the library next.

Andrew Lang of Oxford Development posted:


The South Side Library has received funding (approximately $3.9 million*) to perform needed renovations and improvements. If you use the library, the architects would like to know what your priorities are for the renovations.

The first neighborhood meeting to discuss the renovation of CLP-South Side has been scheduled for TOMORROW evening Wednesday, November 17 at 6:00 PM at The South Side Library. See the above flyer.

I encourage you to attend so that you can learn about the process and provide input. Your attendance also shows support for the library.

*Note the $3.9M is from funds earmarked specifically for capital improvements and can NOT be used for operating budgets.

Steelers cut kicker Reed

Steelers cut kicker Reed

Bye Jeff.

How far behind can Ben be?

My letter to PPS Board Member Hazuda

Updated below:


Hi Board Member Hazuda,

We talked at the A+ Schools Meeting and you seemed to not be able to firmly LOCATE the source of the PROMISE to the students who are presently High School Juniors at Pgh Obama, (first class that isn't Pgh Schenley), Class of 2012.

The promise to those kids was made as that class needed to stay in the basement of Frick, their middle school, in 9th grade -- and NOT have a move to Schenley nor with the others in high school at Reizenstein.

The promise said that they would NOT need to need to MOVE again as a move to Reizenstein was for 3 years, at the shortest.

Well, the best source of this promise has been found -- it is the BOARD OF EDUCATION with Pgh Public Schools. TWICE this YEAR the board voted to move the IB Program, Pgh Obama, into Peabody in the fall of 2012 -- NOT sooner.

The plan, all along, has been made clear that the move to Peabody would NOT in the fall of 2011, but would be in the fall of 2012.

I have this on video tape also from Mr. Lopez.

The board voted. That is the way it should be. The promises were made. To change this now is not welcomed.

We would welcome a solution to the tiny middle school gym problems that have been pressing on the school forever -- with the availability of use of the gyms at Peabody and Reizenstein throughout the 2011-2012 school year. We can't fit all the activities into one middle school facility. There are pressing headaches. These can be resolved in that year while the Peabody school gets its touch ups.

Another promise from the IB Site Selection Committee was to relocate the program to a PERMANENT HOME in the fall of 2012 AFTER some renovations were made.

We now hear that no renovations are going to be made.

That Peabody building is 30 years since an update. Sci-Tech got an update. Westinghouse got an update. Carrick got an update. CAPA and now Rodgers got an update! Peabody is missing two computer labs needed that Reizenstein has. The rooms in Reizenstein, while not perfect, are hooked up with six ports for the internet -- missing in the Peabody classrooms.

Summer Dreamers had a BIG site in 2010 at Peabody -- and that should be able to happen again in 2011 summer. So, it makes sense to do the upgrades of the facilities in the fall and winter of 2011-2012 and get the school in top shape for 2012 fall.

This is an all city magent. Kids from all over town go to this school. Everyone should take some care to see that everyone's academic integrity isn't totally washed down the drain on this shifting target still in the wake of closing Schenley.

Finally, I do greatly welcome the change to the single gender academy at Westinghouse in that they will be "ALL CITY MAGNETS." Great. That is something that I pushed for. It makes sense. Kids from the West End should be able to go to Westinghouse, if they choose to do so. Well done with that move.



a reply:

Mark,

Thanks for your investigation. Because of questions raised, that information was recently provided to us.
While you are an advocate of holding off the move into the Peabody building, we are also receiving communications from stakeholders in favor of the move. As with most things we do, a variety of folks are looking from a variety of angles and the result is a variety of opinions.

Glad to hear you're in favor of the Westinghouse work. It's important that folks understand the opportunity that is being presented there.

Take care,
Sherry



Thanks for the reply.

Let's look a bit deeper:

+ The only folks I know that are in favor of the move urgently would be MORE in favor of getting access to BOTH FACILITIES, Reizenstein AND Peabody for after school efforts for the duration of 2011-2012 school year.

We need the gym space. That is pressing. But, give use of the gym space URGENTLY. Allow us to work in some intramurals, space for practices, space for clinics for the entire city even. Give use of both gyms and fields and pools for middle and high school use.

Then the academic move can happen in a smooth transition in the fall of 2012.

Presently the auditorium at Peabody is used by the students at Reizenstein -- for the Schenley musical, for example.

I hope you figured out the half-day ROBOTICs issues and how moving the academic elements of IB won't impact ROBOTICs students.

ALL STAKEHOLDERS of PPS are very interested in PROMISES, be they Pgh Promise or School Board Promise or Administration Promises too. No doubt, this promise and VOTE was made. Getting yanked around and getting skeptical of promises is something that needs the highest level of honesty.

Fw: 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling membership head count

From: Fred Gohh
Subject: 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling membership head count



Hi everyone,


After a very successful first year of Team Citius, we are looking tocontinuing to improve next year by adding volunteers, new sponsors, andshorter rides for new cyclists.

We are trying to get a rough head count on how many kids will be participating in the 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling program. It would be greatly appreciated if you can e-mail me back your kid(s) name(s) and age(s). The head count will allow us to plan our budget and ask our sponsors for their support. If your kid(s) are looking for a winter cycling training program, please let me know so that we can arrange our coaching services.

If you know any other kids who may be interested in participating, please send me their parents' contact info.

Thank you for your help and support.

Regards,
Fred